Chelsea have challenged the League Managers Association to explain why unfounded rumours of a resignation threat by Carlo Ancelotti spread at the ­organisation’s marquee dinner on Sunday.

The Blues have written directly to Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the managers’ “trade union”, asking for details.

The Premier League leaders have blamed the LMA for fanning suggestions at the Hall of Fame Dinner that Ancelotti was on the point of walking out. Chelsea were alerted to online rumours over Ancelotti’s future on Sunday night and instantly rebutted them as “total nonsense”, a version backed by the coach.

The Stamford Bridge club, however, found their response overtaken by events which led to reports that Ancelotti was on the verge of quitting the club, less than 18 months into his three-year deal, in protest at the ­treatment of axed assistant Ray Wilkins.

Ancelotti was said to have rung the LMA for advice, with claims that he was on the verge of resignation. The Italian coach denied this, saying he had responded to a text from Bevan on Monday.